16th August 2023 00:16:54 Hours
Adding best wishes for future endeavours and recalling undying memories of milestones in the military career, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army on Tuesday (15 August) took time off to bid goodbye to one of the retiring Senior Officers, Major General S.U.M.N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force and Colonel of the Regiment, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR).
Major General S.U.M.N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc who is to retire shortly after a distinguished career of more than 35 years was invited to the office of the Commander, together with the retiree’s family members where both the Army Chief and the retiring Senior Officer spent a few minutes exchanging views on battlefield experiences and how they contributed to the culmination of the Humanitarian Operations before May 2009.
During the meet, the outgoing Senior Officer also received appreciative compliments and words of commendation from the Army Chief who also spoke high of his working capacity, commitment and dedication to the Army as a member of the prestigious Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment during his illustrious military career.
The Army Chief while sharing a few pleasantries with the retiring Major General and his accompanying family members also inquired about the retiring Senior Officer's future plans and did not mince words to wish him good luck at the end of the introduction. The eldest son of the retiring Major General S.U.M.N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc, is currently under training in the Officer Cadet course at the Kotelawala Defence University and the Army Chief exchanged a few words and received a piece of advice with well wishes from the Commander of the Army during a friendly meeting. The Commander also did not fail to mention the support that the retiree’s family members have given him in the performance of his challenging roles.
Major General S.U.M.N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc also in turn thanked the Commander of the Army for his wishes and guidance while mentioning the encouragement he received during his tenure of service in the organization.
Towards the end of the interaction, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage awarded a special memento to the outgoing retiree as a symbol of appreciation and commendation along with a special gift to the family. The gesture was reciprocated by the retiring Senior Officer.
Here follows a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer;
Major General S.U.M.N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army on 21 July 1987. Upon successful completion of his military training at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University - Ratmalana and Sri Lanka Military Academy - Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 23 June 1989. After being steadily elevated to subsequent ranks in the course of his service in the Army, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 01 October 2020.
Major General S.U.M.N Manage WWV RWP RSP psc being an exceptional infantryman has been decorated with the Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya (WWV), Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for his excellent display of bravery in the face of the enemy.
He has been holding the office of Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force and Colonel of the Regiment, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment at the time of his retirement. He also held the appointments of Platoon Commander, 1 VIR, Intelligence Officer, 1 VIR, Officer Commanding, 1 VIR, Officer Instructor of Sri Lanka Military Academy, Staff Officer - 2, Directorate of Movement, Staff Officer 2 of Military Secretary’s Branch, Second-in-Command of 1 VIR, General Staff Officer 2 (Operations/Plans), Joint Operation Headquarters, Senior Instructor of Sri Lanka Military Academy, Commanding Officer of 1 VIR, Sector Commander of Operations Command Colombo, Commanding Officer of Sri Lanka Battalion - United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Directing Staff of Defence Services Command and Staff College, Officiating Colonel (General Staff) of 68 Infantry Division, Officiating Commander of 515 Infantry Brigade Head of Training Team - Defence Services Command and Staff College, Brigade Commander of 641 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier (Coordinating) of Defence Services Command and Staff College, Military Liaison Officer at Ministry of Defence, General Officer Commanding of 53 Infantry Division, District Coordinating Officer of Matale District, Commander of Army Training Command, and Director General General Staff - Army Headquarters and the Commander, 1 Corps HQ.
He has followed many local and foreign courses during his military career, such as Platoon Commanders’ Course, Platoon Weapon Course, Basic Parachute Course, Army Command and Staff Course, Officers’ Weapon Course - Bangladesh, Young Officers’ Course - India, Junior Command Course - India and Senior Command Course - India.
In addition, he has read for higher educational qualifications, such as Masters in Defence Studies at the University of Kelaniya, Master of Arts in Security Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School - the United States of America, a Postgraduate Diploma in Conflict Resolution and Peace Preparedness at the University of Bradford, UK, Bachelor of Arts (Defence Studies) at Kotelawala Defence University and Diploma in Human Rights at the Institute of Human Rights Sri Lanka.
